The Holy Source (Helligkilde)
A timeless medieval spring flowing steadily through Danish countryside since 1360.
The Holy Source is a historic natural spring in Thyholm, Denmark, flowing continuously since ancient times. First documented in 1360, this serene site has served as a vital gathering place for centuries. The spring produces clear, cold water year-round, even during droughts, and was beautifully restored in 1976. Located southeast of Hvidbjerg on the Thyholm Peninsula, it offers visitors a peaceful connection to Denmark's medieval past and natural heritage.
A brief summary to The Holy source
- Munkevej 11, Thyholm, 7790, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit during weekday mornings for a more tranquil experience with fewer visitors and better opportunities for photography.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the restored path leading to the spring safely.
- Bring a picnic to enjoy in the scenic surroundings near the spring, taking advantage of the peaceful rural setting.
- Check local weather forecasts before visiting, as the area is best enjoyed in pleasant conditions and the path may be muddy after rain.
- Combine your visit with nearby attractions such as Hvidbjerg Church or the charming villages of Thyholm to explore local history and culture.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Picnic Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Driving from Struer
From Struer town center, drive north toward Thyholm Peninsula via Route 16 and local roads toward Hvidbjerg. Follow signs to Munkevej; the spring is located at Munkevej 11, approximately 3 kilometers southeast of Hvidbjerg town center. The drive takes approximately 15–20 minutes and offers scenic views of Danish countryside. Parking is available near the site. Distance approximately 12 kilometers.
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Driving from Thisted
From Thisted, drive south toward the Thyholm Peninsula via Route 16 and local roads toward Hvidbjerg. Follow signs to Munkevej; the spring is located at Munkevej 11, approximately 3 kilometers southeast of Hvidbjerg. The drive takes approximately 25–30 minutes. Parking is available near the site. Distance approximately 18 kilometers.
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Cycling from Hvidbjerg
From Hvidbjerg town center, cycle southeast along local roads toward Munkevej. The route is relatively flat and suitable for casual cycling. The journey takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Cycling is a popular way to explore the Thyholm Peninsula, and the quiet rural roads offer pleasant views of farmland and villages.
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Walking from Hvidbjerg
From Hvidbjerg town center, walking to the spring takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour along country roads. The route is flat and passes through rural landscape. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. This option is suitable for those seeking a slower-paced exploration of the Thyholm Peninsula.
The Holy source location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Clear Skies
Discover more about The Holy source
A Spring with Medieval Roots
The Holy Source, known locally as Helligkilde, is a natural spring situated on the Thyholm Peninsula in North Jutland, Denmark. First documented in written records in 1360, the spring likely dates back much further—possibly to the time when the first hunters and fishers arrived in the region after the Ice Age. Its continuous flow of clear, cold water has made it a significant landmark throughout Danish history, serving as both a practical resource and a place of spiritual importance to local communities. The spring's power was once substantial enough to operate a full watermill at the nearby Helligkildegård, where the millpond still exists as evidence of its historical utility. As recently as 1880, people continued to gather at the spring, demonstrating its enduring role in the life of the region. After centuries of use, the site underwent careful restoration in 1976, which included the construction of an accessible path for visitors.The Landscape and Setting
Located at Munkevej 11, southeast of the town of Hvidbjerg, the spring emerges from the ground in a peaceful rural setting characteristic of the Thyholm Peninsula. The area is marked by fertile farmland interspersed with small villages and historic churches, creating a landscape that reflects Denmark's agricultural heritage. The spring flows year-round with remarkable consistency, maintaining its output even during periods of drought—a testament to the deep groundwater sources that feed it. The restored site includes a well-maintained path that allows visitors to approach the spring safely and comfortably. The surrounding landscape offers views of the pastoral Danish countryside, with the Limfjord visible in the distance. The quiet, contemplative atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a connection to nature and history away from busier tourist areas.Historical and Cultural Significance
The spring holds deep cultural significance within Danish history and local tradition. Its mention in medieval records places it within the broader context of Thyholm's development during the Middle Ages, a period when the region was Christianized and began to establish the settlements and institutions that would shape it for centuries. The spring's reliability and purity made it a valued resource in an era when clean water sources were essential for survival and prosperity. The restoration of the site in 1976 represented a recognition of its historical importance and a commitment to preserving it for future generations. Today, the spring stands as a tangible link to Denmark's past, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a landscape and resource that has sustained human communities for over 600 documented years and likely much longer.Visiting the Spring
The site is freely accessible to visitors year-round, with the restored path providing safe access to the spring itself. The peaceful setting and modest scale of the location make it suitable for quiet contemplation, photography, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings. The spring's consistent flow and clear water remain its defining characteristics, much as they were in medieval times. Nearby towns such as Hvidbjerg offer shops, eateries, and other amenities for visitors exploring the broader Thyholm Peninsula.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
SOLTEGNET af billedhugger og professor Bjørn Nørgaard
23.7 km
A radiant sculpture of oyster shells celebrating art, sustainability, and fjord culture.
Museum Salling
26.4 km
Dive into Denmark's past at Museum Salling, where Limfjord's heritage comes alive through interactive exhibits, ancient artifacts, and engaging storytelling in scenic Skive.
Thisted Vandtårn
36.6 km
A glowing beacon of Thisted's industrial heritage, this iconic 1939 water tower illuminates the night sky.
Eshøj gravhøj
37.4 km
A Bronze Age burial mound preserving 3,000 years of Danish prehistoric heritage on a windswept Jutland plateau.
National Park Center Thy
37.5 km
Discover Denmark's first National Park: Explore unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich history at the gateway to Thy's coastal wilderness in Vorupør.
Havbad
37.7 km
Experience the invigorating waters of the North Sea in a safe and accessible environment at Havbad in Thisted, Denmark, a coastal gem offering year-round enjoyment and community spirit.
The beach in Vorupør
37.7 km
Discover Vorupør: Where coastal charm meets North Sea beauty in Denmark's first National Park, offering surfing, history, and stunning landscapes.
Thagaards Plantage
39.2 km
Discover the enchanting Thagaards Plantage in National Park Thy, where windswept, centuries-old trees tell a story of resilience and Denmark's battle against the sands.
Tørreladen ved Moler Museet
39.7 km
Denmark's longest industrial barn, restored and reimagined as a monument to Mors's moler brick heritage.
Daugbjergskiltet
42.1 km
Dramatic limestone cliffs offering panoramic views and geological wonders near Viborg
Mønsted Kalkgruber
42.7 km
Explore the world's largest limestone mine in Mønsted, Denmark: a subterranean adventure with stunning lakes, multimedia shows, and fascinating bat colonies, offering a unique glimpse into geological history.
Isbjerg - Nationalpark Thy
45.6 km
Denmark's highest point in a wild coastal reserve where ancient cliffs meet pristine heathlands and soaring eagles.
Kampestensbroen ved Ørre
47.9 km
A historic stone bridge marking the transformed course of Sunds Nørreå in Denmark's rural heartland.
Befrielsessten i Ravnstrup
49.0 km
A modest countryside liberation stone near Viborg, quietly commemorating Denmark’s freedom in 1945 amid open fields and a peaceful village setting.
Battery Hanstholm 1
52.3 km
Wind-beaten dunes, concrete giants and sweeping sea views meet at Battery Hanstholm 1, an open-air World War II strongpoint on Denmark’s remote northwest coast.
Unmissable attractions to see
Thyholm Egnsmuseum
2.6 km
A characterful farmstead museum where furnished rooms, workshops, schoolhouse and baroque garden trace centuries of everyday life on Thyholm by the Limfjord.
Jegindø
4.3 km
Low-lying Limfjord island-peninsula with a working harbour, quiet beaches and wide skies, ideal for slow walks, cycling and everyday Danish coastal life.
Æ Fywerhus
5.5 km
A humble 1911 fjord house at Jegindø Harbour, where tools, photos and film quietly tell the story of traditional fishing on the Limfjord’s sheltered waters.
Grisetå Odde Fyr
6.3 km
A modest white lighthouse on the Limfjord that turns wind, water and wide skies into a quietly unforgettable stop north of Struer.
Oddesundtårnet
6.4 km
A slender viewing tower by the Oddesund Bridge, offering accessible exhibits and sweeping Limfjord panoramas where coastal nature, wartime relics and modern infrastructure meet.
Agerø
8.7 km
A small Limfjord island of open skies, bird-rich shores and quiet farmland, where causeway access leads to a softly spoken slice of rural Denmark.
Limfjords Camping & Vandland I/S
11.0 km
Family-friendly fjordside campground with indoor waterpark, playgrounds and cabins on the tranquil shores of the Limfjord near Spøttrup in Central Jutland.
Spøttrup Borg Velkomstcenter
14.4 km
Modern welcome hub, compact museum and comfort stop at the edge of Denmark’s best‑preserved medieval castle in the West Jutland countryside.
Jættestuen Lundehøj
15.5 km
Step inside a Neolithic stone chamber hidden beneath a grassy mound in Thy’s quiet countryside and glimpse the burial traditions of Denmark’s first farmers.
Mid and West Jutland Railway Museum
16.3 km
A compact railway museum in Struer’s former freight office, where locomotives, archives and an old command post reveal how the rails transformed Mid and West Jutland.
Trolden Ask fra Ashøj
16.5 km
Hidden in a forest clearing on Thy’s highest hill, the giant wooden troll Ask fra Ashøj blends playful sculpture, folk tale magic and wide Danish landscapes.
Udsigtstårnet i Ashøj Plantage
16.7 km
Simple metal steps to the highest point in Thy, where forest gives way to far horizons over North Sea, Limfjord and the church-dotted plains of South Thy.
Vittrup Strøm
17.0 km
A tranquil Danish stream amid rural Jutland's timeless farmland and ancient heritage.
Højriis Castle
19.2 km
A moated 19th‑century manor on Mors where Historicist towers, tranquil parkland and seasonal theatrical mysteries bring centuries of Danish aristocratic life to vivid life.
Nationalpark Thy, visitor centre Svaneholmhus
20.1 km
Unstaffed but indispensable, Svaneholmhus is a sheltered, bird-focused gateway to windswept Agger Tange and the wider wild landscapes of Nationalpark Thy.
Essential places to dine
HOTEL Tambohus Inn - By Limfjorden in Jutland
2.6 km
Waterfront Danish inn with celebrated restaurant and fjord views in peaceful Jutland countryside.
Venø Kro
10.1 km
Fjord-facing island inn on Venø, serving Limfjord seafood, classic Danish dishes and the famous Venøbøf steak with unforgettable sunsets over the water.
Hotel Thinggaard
15.2 km
Charming three-star hotel in Hurup Thy with fine dining, spa, and easy access to the wilderness of Thy National Park and the scenic Limfjord region.
Restaurant Ved Fjorden
16.0 km
Harborfront dining in Struer where local seafood, fjord views and a modern Danish setting come together at one of Limfjorden’s most atmospheric culinary addresses.
Restaurant Luna
17.6 km
Sunlit harbourfront restaurant in Lemvig pairing fresh local fish, generous Danish classics and Limfjord panoramas from floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a broad quay‑side terrace.
Bjarnes Fisk og Fisketeria
17.9 km
Harborfront fish shop and casual seafood eatery in Lemvig, serving fresh catch from Thyborøn, smoked specialties and Danish classics with a Limfjord view.
Restaurant Pavillonen
20.3 km
Relaxed marina-front restaurant on the Limfjord, pairing light Scandinavian interiors and broad sea views with seasonal Danish comfort dishes.
Limfjordens hus
23.7 km
Modern Nordic coastal dining on the very tip of Glyngøre, where Limfjordens Hus pairs local seafood and fjord produce with sweeping views of water, sky and Mors.
Danish Oyster Bar - Østersbar & Glyngøre Shellfish
23.7 km
A tiny Limfjord-side oyster bar where wild Danish shellfish, working harbour life and fjord views come together in a quietly memorable tasting experience.
Kjøwenhavner Kokken
23.8 km
Casual harborfront barbecue and Danish comfort food with generous portions, sea air and Limfjord views in the small coastal town of Glyngøre.
Limfjordens Pizzaria og Grill
23.8 km
Authentic waterfront pizzeria with harbor views and warm Danish hospitality in charming Glyngøre.
Agger Darling
24.0 km
Coastal dining where passion meets local produce, between sea and forest in Thy National Park.
Restaurant TRI
25.3 km
Michelin-starred fine dining celebrating Northern Jutland's seasonal bounty in a luminous glass sanctuary.
No.1 cafe og bistro
25.7 km
Cosy French-inspired bistro on Lilletorv in Nykøbing Mors, pairing Limfjord seafood and classic dishes with candlelit charm and a carefully chosen wine list.
Cafe Holmen
25.9 km
Historic waterfront café in a charming old station building with Mediterranean summer terrace and homemade Danish cuisine.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Nørhå Antik og Retro
29.9 km
A sprawling countryside antiques and retro design haven with orangery, garden pavilions and a cozy café overlooking fields and Nørhå Lake in Thy.
Sinnerup ApS
31.1 km
A bright Nordic lifestyle universe in downtown Holstebro, where design, furniture, kitchenware and women’s fashion come together as one inspiring home-focused store.
ONLY
31.1 km
Central Holstebro’s go-to women’s fashion stop, mixing Danish denim heritage with trend-led everyday styles in a compact, easy-to-browse high-street boutique.
Køkkencenter Mors-Thy ApS
32.7 km
Compact Danish kitchen showroom in rural Mors, offering quiet inspiration, personal design advice and a glimpse of everyday Scandinavian home life.
Ayoe Vintage
33.5 km
Intimate vintage showroom in dune-fringed Stenbjerg, pairing handpicked quality garments with the calm, coastal atmosphere of Thy National Park.
Alt for Hunden - Hundeklipning, Hundesalon, Hundetrimming, Negleklip og Hundefrisering i Thisted.
35.0 km
Professional dog grooming by a certified cynologist in Thisted's trusted pet care salon.
Meny
36.5 km
A welcoming supermarket where quality, service, and local character converge in coastal Vorupør.
Vorupør Slagterforetning v/Søren Odder Jensen
36.6 km
Three generations of Danish butchery craft, sourcing local meats with personal expertise and regional pride.
VØ Skateshop I Jibe Longboards
37.0 km
Coastal skateshop blending surf culture with longboarding lifestyle in northern Denmark.
Shaped by the Tides
37.0 km
A calm, design-led coastal boutique in Vorupør, where Nordic minimalism meets North Sea surf culture in a carefully curated selection of ocean-inspired goods.
MIN KØBMAND
37.1 km
A small but essential village supermarket on Mors, Min Købmand Sejerslev keeps locals and visitors supplied with everyday groceries and a glimpse of rural Danish life.
Den Gamle Butik I/S
37.1 km
A cosy, nostalgia-filled shop in coastal Vorupør where Nordic design, year-round Christmas magic and the scent of freshly ground coffee create a timeless hygge retreat.
Danmission Op Shop
37.4 km
Cosy coastal thrift store in Vorupør where second-hand finds, from warm knitwear to well-loved books and furniture, support Danmission’s wider charitable work.
Surf Pro Cold Hawaii - Vorupør
37.4 km
Surf Pro Cold Hawaii in Vorupør is the ultimate hub for surf rentals, lessons, and gear—right in the wild heart of Denmark’s coastal Thy National Park.
Vorupør Badehotel
37.4 km
Historic seaside hotel in the heart of Vorupør, offering surf lessons, fresh North Sea cuisine, and classic Danish hospitality on the wild Thy coast.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Pusterummet
14.7 km
A relaxed local bar and eatery in the heart of Hurup Thy, where billiards, cold beer and simple comfort food create an easygoing small-town social hub.
Lagunen
20.9 km
A cozy village bar in Bedsted Thy, Lagunen offers simple drinks, local company and a warm slice of North Jutland everyday life in a relaxed, no-frills setting.
Nabo
25.7 km
Cozy neighbourhood wine bar on Nykøbing Mors’ Lilletorv, pouring characterful wines, easygoing drinks and relaxed hygge in an intimate, candlelit setting.
Farmors Bodega
25.9 km
Authentic Danish bodega where locals gather for beers, aquavit, and genuine Limfjord hospitality.
Don Muss
25.9 km
Cozy harborfront bar in Nykøbing Mors, blending everyday beers, late-night live music and local Limfjord charm in one unpretentious hangout.
FJORD Bryggeri og Destilleri
25.9 km
Harbourfront microbrewery and distillery in Nykøbing Mors, serving small-batch beer and gin that capture the flavour of Mors in a cosy historic setting.
Fox and Hounds
31.0 km
Original Scottish-style pub of Holstebro, pouring quality beers and whiskies in a cozy, wood-lined bar at the heart of this cultural Jutland town.
SwagHouse
31.8 km
Casual nightlife hub in the heart of Nykøbing Mors, where locals and travelers gather for drinks and social connection.
Harmonien
36.4 km
Thisted's welcoming bar and restaurant serving generous brunches and curated drinks in the town centre.
Cafe Nytorv v/ John Nielsen
36.5 km
Unpretentious bodega-style bar on Thisted’s central square, serving cold beers, simple drinks and everyday hygge from late morning to late night.
Café Børsen
36.5 km
Casual harbor-side café where locals gather for drinks and genuine Danish social warmth.
Heidi's Bier Bar
36.6 km
Loud, lively and drenched in Tyrolean après‑ski flair, Heidi’s Bier Bar Thisted turns coastal North Jutland nights into all‑season Oktoberfest parties.
Stalden Klitmøller
44.7 km
A timeworn village bar on Klitmøller’s main street, where North Sea surf culture, local life and simple drinks come together in a cosy, unpretentious setting.
Haandpluk Kaffebar og delikatesse
45.1 km
Intimate Klitmøller hangout blending specialty coffee, craft beer, curated wine and deli treats in a cosy garage-style space near the windswept northwest coast.
Gården Klitmøller
45.1 km
Cozy farmhouse café, bar and lodge at the heart of Klitmøller’s Cold Hawaii coast, steps from surf, sand and the wild edges of Thy National Park.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Unique
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Sacred Sites
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Scenic
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Spiritual / Energy Spot
- Myth & Legends
- Cultural Heritage
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
